Connecting ostomy device

ABSTRACT

A connecting ostomy device for coupling a collecting bag to a fixing device ( 10 ) includes a first joining part ( 16 ) connected to the fixing device and a second joining part ( 12 ) connected to the collecting bag. The joining parts interact by adhesion in a plane practically perpendicular to the axes of orifices ( 14 ) of the collecting bag of the fixing device in such a way that the transmission of the bag weight and the impermeability thereof are ensured by adhesion. The additional fixing elements ( 18, 20 ) ensure the alignment of the orifices ( 14 ) of the fixing device ( 10 ) and the collecting bag in a position thereof which is practically determined before the removal of the protective film from an adhesive surface. The connecting device is used for ostomy.

The invention relates to ostomy devices which are constructed in twoparts.

Ostomy devices in two parts comprise a fixing or support device which isadhesively-bonded to the skin around an ostomy, and a removable pouchwhich is intended to be connected to the fixing device. The advantage ofthese two-part devices is that a single adhesive-bonding of a fixingdevice around the ostomy allows the successive use of a plurality ofpouches, generally at least three. Although it is possible to producematerials which constitute gums which are capable of absorbing humidityand which are non-allergenic, the detaching operation still subjects theskin to stresses which it is desirable to spread over time.

Various connections have therefore been produced which are intended tofix a collection pouch in a fluid-tight manner to a fixing device. Thereare substantially two generic types of such connection, a mechanicaltype and an adhesive type.

There are a number of variants of the connections of the mechanicaltype. Three are described which are representative of this range.

In a first example of a mechanical connection, a fixing device having agum disc carries a ring having a plurality of lips which delimit achannel in which a wall of a ring carried by a pouch is accommodated.The mechanical strength is provided by co-operation of lips of the tworings, the sealing is provided by the contact of a lip of the ring withthe body of the ring, and the guiding for the positioning is providedwhen a ring is accommodated on the other ring, the engagement beingprovided simply by applying a force to the rings.

A second known mechanical connection device is such that a fixing deviceand a pouch each comprise a ring, the rings having lips which areintended to fit into each other in order to provide both the mechanicalstrength and sealing.

A third known mechanical connection has a small pivoting lever whichrotates a blocking device which, after two rings are engaged one on theother, blocks them by means of locking in order to provide a very highlevel of strength.

All these known mechanical devices have the advantage of allowing theco-operation of two rings only when they are correctly centred one onthe other, with the result that the positioning of the two connectionportions is excellent.

However, they do have disadvantages. The sealing is obtained by means ofcontact of one or more lips with a complementary surface. In order for alip to provide a good level of sealing, it must have a good level ofresilience, that is to say, it must either be very thin or be formedfrom a relatively flexible material. If the material of the ring, andtherefore the lip, is flexible, the mechanical strength obtained isreduced. If the material of the ring is rigid and hard, the connectionas a whole constitutes a rigid element which brings about a degree ofdiscomfort.

Furthermore, all the elements having lips must comply with stricttolerances; they are formed by means of injection and are thereforecostly.

Given the disadvantages of these mechanical connections, attempts havebeen made to use connections which function by means ofadhesive-bonding. Connections have therefore been produced in which anadhesive disc, which is fixedly joined to the pouch and which isprotected by a protective paper, is adhesively-bonded to a strip of adevice for fixing to the user. The advantages of such a connection bymeans of adhesive-bonding are clear: the assembly can be flexible andthin, and can therefore provide a high level of comfort and, as theadhesive-bonding surface can be extensive, an excellent level of sealingand mechanical strength can be provided.

However, this connection by means of adhesive-bonding presents aproblem: it is difficult to position an adhesive portion of the pouch onthe fixing device whilst ensuring the alignment of the holes of thesetwo elements.

Given the very adhesive nature of the connection portion of the pouch,as soon as it has begun to adhesively-bond to an opposing portion, it isno longer possible to displace the two portions relative to each other.Furthermore, if the two connection portions are flexible, and thereforeprovide an advantage in terms of comfort, the uniform application of thetwo portions one to the other presents problems owing to this veryflexibility.

According to document FR-2 396 541, an ostomy pouch connection isalready known such that a fixing device comprises a circular end-piecewhich extends from the device around the hole thereof and which issurrounded by an adhesive-bonding strip and, at the outer side thereof,hook and loop type fixing elements. The pouch has a connection portionwhich comprises a circular adhesive surface which surrounds a hole and,around this adhesive surface, hook and loop type fixing elements. Whenit is used, the end-piece of the fixing device is introduced into thehole of the pouch before the adhesive surface comes into contact withthe adhesive strip or the hook and loop type fixing elements move intoco-operation. The holes are therefore well aligned. A first disadvantageof this device is that the end-piece, in order to be effective, musthave a specific length: it confers a high level of rigidity on thefixing portion and therefore brings a considerable level of discomfort.In particular, as the adhesive surface surrounds the end-piece, thepaper which protects it must be removed before the end-piece moves intothe hole of the pouch. The end of the end-piece is therefore necessarilyin contact with the exposed adhesive surface before being introducedinto the hole of the pouch. If the adhesive is very effective, it isalmost impossible to detach it without significantly damaging theadhesive: this is without doubt the reason why the function ofmechanical strength of the pouch is not provided by the adhesivesurface, but instead by the hook and loop type fixing elements.

The invention relates to the solution to this problem of mutuallypositioning the two connection portions in the case of anadhesive-bonding operation.

More precisely, according to the invention, the fixing portion and thepouch can first be fixed at least partially one to the other before theadhesive surface is separated from the protective paper thereof. In thismanner, when the protective paper is removed, the fixing device and thepouch can assume only one position in which the holes thereof arealigned.

The invention thus relates to an ostomy device connection which isintended to connect a collection pouch to a fixing device which isintended to be adhesively-bonded to the skin of a user, the connectionserving to transmit the weight of the collection pouch to the fixingdevice, to position the pouch relative to the fixing device so that ahole of the fixing device is in communication with a hole of thecollection pouch, and to provide sealing between the collection pouchand the fixing device, the connection comprising a first connectionportion which is fixedly joined to the fixing device and a secondconnection portion which is fixedly joined to the collection pouch, oneof the connection portions having an adhesive surface which is coveredbefore use by a removable protective sheet and the other connectionportion having an adhesion strip, so that the two connection portionscan co-operate with each other by means of adhesive-bonding in a planewhich is practically perpendicular relative to the axes of the holes ofthe pouch and the fixing device, and the transmission of the weight ofthe collection pouch and the sealing between the fixing device andcollection pouch are provided by means of adhesive-bonding; thecollection pouch and the fixing device comprise complementary fixingelements which are intended to limit the possibilities for relativedisplacement of the pouch and the fixing device so that the twoconnection portions have practically only one possible relative positionwhen they are adjacent, this position corresponding to the alignment ofthe holes of the fixing device and the collection pouch. According tothe invention, the protective sheet of the adhesive layer has thefeature of being able to be detached from the adhesive surface after thecomplementary fixing elements have been brought into co-operation.

In one embodiment, the complementary fixing elements form anarticulation device which delimits a pivot axis remote from the holes ofthe fixing device and the collection pouch, the protective sheet beingpractically entirely at only one side of the pivot axis.

In another embodiment, the complementary fixing elements comprise atleast two push-buttons which are aligned along an axis.

In another embodiment, the complementary fixing elements comprise twoelements which are fixedly joined to the fixing device and the pouch,respectively, and which are able to provide mutual fixing by means ofmagnetic attraction.

In another embodiment, the complementary fixing elements comprise atongue which is fixedly joined to a first portion of the connection anda curved member which is fixedly joined to the other portion of theconnection.

In another embodiment, the complementary fixing elements comprise arelatively rigid lug which is fixedly joined to a portion of theconnection and which is intended to engage in a housing which is fixedlyjoined to the other portion of the connection.

In another embodiment, the complementary fixing elements comprise shapedportions of hook and loop type fabric which are fixedly joined to eachof the connection portions.

In another embodiment, the complementary fixing elements comprise atleast a first element which is arranged on a first connection portion,and a plurality of second elements which are arranged on the otherconnection portion and which have positions which are angularlyspaced-apart around the hole of the corresponding connection portion,the first element being able to co-operate with any one of the secondelements. For example, the portion carrying the tongue may comprise aplurality of tongues having positions which are angularly spaced-apartaround the hole thereof.

In a variant, the connection comprises auxiliary elements for fixing theconnection portions.

In another embodiment, the protective sheet of the adhesive layercomprises at least two portions which are folded in the form of a folderwhose folds are adjacent on the adhesive surface so that this adhesivesurface is completely covered and the flap which is notadhesively-bonded to the adhesive surface has a gripping lug whichextends beyond the limits of the adhesive surface.

In another embodiment, the connection comprises an auxiliary device forretaining the connection portions by means of fitting.

The fixing device preferably comprises a flexible disc which has apractically central hole which is intended to surround an ostomy, thedisc being intended to be adhesively-bonded to the skin of a user aroundan ostomy, and a strip which is fixed to the disc in a fluid-tightmanner around the hole.

According to advantageous variants, since the portion having theadhesive surface is intended to be detached in one direction after use,the configuration of this adhesive surface is such that the total lengthof the face for detaching by means of peeling, in a direction which isgenerally perpendicular relative to the detaching direction, ismodulated so that it is substantially constant over the majority of thelength of the portion having the adhesive surface in the detachingdirection.

According to variants, the portion having the adhesive surface iscompletely covered with adhesive, or the portion having the adhesivesurface is only partially covered with adhesive.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understoodfrom a reading of the following description of embodiments, given withreference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ostomy connection according to theinvention, at an initial positioning stage, the portions of the pouchother than the connection being omitted for reasons of clarity ofillustration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ostomy connection of FIG. 1 at asubsequent positioning stage;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ostomy connection of FIG. 1 afterthe positioning has been carried out;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b illustrate a fixing device and a pouch in which thecomplementary fixing elements are push-buttons, respectively;

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b illustrate a fixing device and a pouch in which thecomplementary fixing elements are magnetic elements, respectively;

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b illustrate a fixing device and a pouch in which thecomplementary fixing elements are formed by a fixing means having maleand female elements, respectively;

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b illustrate a fixing device and a pouch in which thecomplementary fixing elements are hook and loop type fixing elements,and the protective sheet of the adhesive layer comprises two portionswhich are folded in the manner of a folder, respectively;

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b illustrate a fixing device and a pouch in which thecomplementary fixing elements are hook and loop type fixing elementswhich are fixed to the fixing device and to the body of the pouchitself, and the protective sheet of the adhesive layer comprises twoportions which are folded in the manner of a folder, respectively;

FIG. 9 illustrates an ostomy connection which is similar to that ofFIGS. 1 to 3, after it has been positioned, but which comprises anadditional fixing element which is constituted by a jaw which fits intothe hole of the connection portion which is fixedly joined to the pouch;

FIG. 10 illustrates the jaw shown in FIG. 9, drawn to an enlarged scale;

FIGS. 11 a and 11 b illustrate a fixing device and a pouch in which thecomplementary fixing elements are discs which can be fitted inside eachother and which are fixedly joined, one to the fixing device and theother to the pouch, respectively;

FIG. 12 illustrates a connection element which can be the disc which hasan adhesive surface and which is fixedly joined to the pouch of FIGS. 1to 3;

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating the variation of the total length of thepeeling face, in a direction perpendicular relative to a detachingdirection T, in accordance with the position on the face of theconnection element, and it also illustrates the variation of thedetaching resistance force;

FIG. 14 illustrates the adhesive surface of a connection element whichhas a form defined according to the invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates the variation of the detaching resistance force ofthe connection element according to the invention illustrated in FIG.14;

FIG. 16 illustrates the adhesive-bonding surface of another connectionelement having a form which is defined according to the invention; and

FIG. 17 illustrates an ostomy pouch which is provided with theconnection element of FIG. 16.

The ostomy connection illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a portionwhich is fixedly joined to a fixing device 10 and another connectionportion 12 which is associated with a pouch (not illustrated).

The fixing device 10 comprises a gum disc and a strip 16. In knownmanner, the gum contains a polymer and hydrocolloids, and it allowsrobust fixing to the skin of the user around an ostomy.

At the side opposite the adhesive portion of the gum, the strip 16 isfixed to the disc around a hole 14. This strip constitutes a firstconnection portion. It comprises a flat and flexible portion and, at oneside of the periphery thereof, a curved member 18. It is advantageouslyformed from polyethylene, a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, ora similar polymer which can be readily moulded in order to form thecurved member 18 and welded to the gum disc around the hole 14 and overonly part of the distance between the edge of the hole and the peripheryof the strip which is therefore free.

The connection portion 12 of the pouch surrounds a hole and has a tongue20. The face of the portion 12 that is not visible in FIGS. 1 to 3 iscovered with an adhesive which is itself covered with a protectivesheet, for example, a protective paper containing silicone. A lug 22allows the connection portion 12 to be retained during detaching. Thestrip 16 preferably has, opposite the location which the lug 22 mustoccupy, a notch 24 which forms a recess which facilitates the grippingof the lug between two fingers.

The use of the ostomy connection will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3. The user, to which the fixing device 10 isadhesively-bonded, grips a pouch provided with the connection portion 12which carries, over the entire adhesive face thereof, a protective paperwhich is preferably cut between the tongue 20 and the remainder of theconnection portion 12. He introduces the tongue 20 beneath the curvedmember 18 as indicated by the arrow 26. He can carry out the operationprogressively and restart it as many times as desired until the tonguehas been completely introduced beneath the curved member. At this time,the connection portion 12 can no longer be displaced other than bypivoting about the axis 27 which separates the tongue from the remainderof the portion 12.

At this time, the user holding the pouch with one hand grips, with hisother hand, the protective paper which itself preferably has aprotruding lug (not illustrated). He removes this paper by means ofpeeling. He then has only to pivot the connection portion 12 which isadhesively-bonded in a completely aligned position to the strip 16.

The significant feature is that it is possible to position the twoconnection portions in a position which provides the alignment of theholes before removing the protective paper, so that the adhesive surfacecan be adhesively-bonded only to the strip 16.

People who have to carry such ostomy pouches sometimes wish to orientatethe pouch body differently depending on whether it is carried during theday (with the person upright or seated) or during the night (with theperson lying down). The connection described with reference to FIGS. 1to 3 allows only a single orientation.

In one variant (not illustrated), the connection portion 12 of the pouchcomprises a plurality of tongues, for example, three, which are spacedapart at intervals of 45° or 60°. The pouch can thus be orientateddownwards during the day and towards the right or the left during thenight.

It should be noted that the adhesive-bonding surface is very extensivesince it covers the entire surface between the central hole and thecircular periphery of the strip 16 or the connection portion 12. Thisadhesive-bonding provides, in known manner, a very good level of sealingand a very good level of mechanical strength.

These properties are obtained because the strip 16 and the connectionportion 12 are completely centred. It can readily be envisaged that, ifthe two portions were off-centre, on the one hand, the surface foradhesive-bonding and therefore mechanical strength, would be reducedand, on the other hand, the probability of leakage in the region of theadhesively-bonded portion having a relatively small width would be high.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b illustrate, in another embodiment, an ostomy devicecomprising a fixing device 30 and a pouch 42, respectively, which can beconnected in a fluid-tight manner by means of a connection according toanother embodiment of the invention.

The fixing device 30 comprises a gum disc 32. In known manner, this gumcontains a polymer and hydrocolloids, and it allows robust fixing to theskin of the user around an ostomy.

At the side opposite the adhesive portion of the gum 32, a strip 34 isfixed to the disc 32 around the hole 36. This strip constitutes a firstconnection portion.

It is advantageously formed from polyethylene, copolymer of ethylene andvinyl acetate, or a similar polymer which can be readily welded to thedisc 32, around the hole 36 and over only part of the distance betweenthe edge of the hole and the periphery of the strip which is thereforefree.

The pouch 42 has a body 44 and a connection portion 46 which surrounds ahole 48. A lug or ear 50 allows the connection portion 46 to be retainedduring detaching.

According to the invention, complementary fixing elements areconstituted by two push-buttons 38, 52 which each have a portion whichis fixed to the fixing device 30 and another portion which is fixed tothe pouch 42. In the embodiment illustrated, the female portions of thepush-buttons 38 are fixed to the edge of the strip 34 and the maleportions of the push-buttons 52 are fixed to the edge of the connectionportion 46 which forms an adhesive surface. The push-buttons 38, 38 and52, 52 thus delimit a pivot axis 40.

During the positioning, since the fixing device has already beenadhesively-bonded to the skin of the user, the connection portion 46,which has an adhesive surface which is protected by a protective paper,is moved closer, with the lower portion thereof, to the push-buttons 38so that the male portions 52 can be attached to the female portions 38.The user can readily bring the push-buttons into co-operation since hecan associate them without looking, by means of detection using touch.From this time, the upper portion of the pouch 42 can be displacedrelative to the fixing device 30 only by means of pivoting about theaxis 40.

The user then removes the protective paper from the adhesive connectionportion 46 and, by pivoting upwards about the axis 40, presses theadhesive surface against the strip 34 of the fixing device. Taking intoaccount the relative rigidity of the strip 34 and the connection portion46, the two portions are adhesively-bonded to each other whilst beingcompletely centred, that is to say, the hole 36 of the fixing device islocated precisely opposite the hole 48 of the pouch.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b illustrate a similar device in which the role of thepush-buttons 38, 52 is performed by two small magnets 54, 56, that is tosay, they delimit a pivot axis in the direction of the length thereof(40 in the Figure). The result obtained is similar to that provided bythe device of FIGS. 4 a and 4 b. It should also be noted that thepresence of a gripping lug or ear 50 allows the pouch to be readilyseparated from the fixing device when the pouch has to be separated.

In FIGS. 5 a to 5 b, as in the following Figures, identical referenceshave been used to those of FIGS. 4 a and 4 b to refer to the sameelements.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b illustrate an embodiment in which complementary fixingelements are constituted by a resilient clip 58 which is intended to beaccommodated in a guide 60 which is delimited by two lateral rails. Whenthe pouch 42 has to be positioned on the fixing device, the femaleguiding portion 60 which is intended to co-operate with the clip 58 isslid thereon and thus engages in a resilient manner. The user preferablyhears the engagement noise, such as a click, which informs him that thecomplementary fixing elements are in position. Then, by means ofrotation about the axis 40, after the protective paper has been removedfrom the surface 46, this adhesive surface is pressed onto the strip 34of the fixing device. In this embodiment, gripping hooks 50 have beenillustrated on the fixing device.

Of course, the clip can be replaced by numerous devices having similarfunctions, such as a pincer which fastens onto a shaft, or a grippingmember which slides in a channel. The significant feature is thedefinition of an axis for the rotation of the pouch relative to thefixing device.

In the embodiments which have been described above, the adhesive surfaceof the pouch is brought against the co-operating surface of the fixingportion by means of rotation about a pivot axis which is offsetlaterally relative to the holes. It is possible to keep the pouchportion provided with the adhesive surface remote from the fixingsupport except for in the region of the pivot axis at the beginning ofpositioning. Owing to this spacing-apart, in these embodiments in whichthe pivot axis is remote from the holes, it is even possible to remove,completely or partially, the protective paper from the adhesive surfaceof the pouch before the complementary fixing elements are brought intoco-operation.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b illustrate another embodiment in which the positioningbefore adhesive-bonding is provided, not by rotation about anarticulation axis, but instead by the two parts of the connection beingaligned in practice one relative to the other before theadhesive-bonding.

More precisely, as FIGS. 7 a and 7 b indicate, the fixing device has,either on the gum disc 32, or at the edge of the strip 4, two fixingelements 62, 64 of the hook and loop type, which are known under thecommercial name “Velcro” and which can be diametrically opposed asillustrated. The pouch comprises, at corresponding locations of theconnection portion, two complementary hook and loop type fixing elements66, 68.

In this instance, since the fixing elements 62, 64 and 66, 68 arebrought into co-operation when the adhesive surface of the connectionportion of the pouch is not exposed and is still provided with theprotective paper thereof, this protective paper has to be able to beremoved after the auxiliary fixing elements have been brought intoco-operation. Consequently, the protective paper this time comprises twoseparate portions which are folded in the manner of a folder inaccordance with a diameter 70. Each portion comprises a semi-circularportion 72 which is arranged over half of the adhesive surface, incontact therewith, and another portion 74 which is connected thereto bymeans of simple folding and which is longer so that it extends to theouter side of the pouch and can be gripped. Consequently, when thefixing elements 62, 64, and 66, 68 have been fixed, the two portions 74of protective paper extend at the sides, and they have only to be pulledin order to expose the adhesive surface which is then correctlypositioned facing the strip 34 of the fixing device.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b illustrate a variant in which the hook and loop typefixing elements 66 and 68, carried by the connection portion 46 of thepouch in FIG. 7 b, are this time placed on the body 44 of the pouch, asindicated by the references 76 and 78. Operation is the same.

FIG. 9 illustrates an additional variant. The fixing device 10illustrated is similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 3 since it comprises a gumdisc which is to be adhesively-bonded to the skin of the user, and astrip 16 which has a curved member 18 and a notch 24. The differenceconcerns the presence of an end-piece 80 which is fixedly joined to thegum disc, and which carries a jaw 78 which is intended to be fastened tothe edge of the hole of the connection portion of the pouch, asillustrated in greater detail in FIG. 10.

This arrangement is very different from the device of the prior artsince the length of the end piece is significantly reduced and thematerial thereof is very flexible, and it therefore does not bring aboutany discomfort. An improvement of this type can be used when the fixingforce using adhesive-bonding is insufficient, for example, because theadhesive surface is very small or because the adhesive substance is notvery robust.

Figures 11 a and 11 b illustrate another embodiment in which the fixingdevice, which further comprises the gum disc 32, which delimits the hole36, and the strip 34, further has a ring 100 of a resilient foam whichis adhesively-bonded to the periphery of the strip 34. The connectionportion 46 carries, at the surface thereof, around the hole 48, a ring102 whose outer diameter is very slightly less than or equal to theinner diameter of the foam ring 100 of the fixing device. The pouch cantherefore be readily positioned relative to the fixing device by thering 102 being accommodated in the foam ring 100. In this embodiment,the adhesive surface of the connection portion 46 carries a protectivepaper 104 which is formed by two parts which are folded in the manner ofa folder and which are each provided with a lug 106. After the ring 102has been introduced into the ring 100, the protective paper 104 ispulled by the lugs 104 and exposes the adhesive surface which is thenadhesively-bonded, preferably to a strip which is fixedly joined to thegum disc 32.

The ring 102 may be of any type whose adhesive properties are increasedin the presence of aqueous liquid, and can form a secondary sealing zonewhich protects the main sealing zone.

The various embodiments described above relate to various aspects inwhich the sealing and the mechanical strength are substantially providedby the adhesive-bonding.

In specific embodiments, the mechanical strength may be increased, forexample, by means of fitting (embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11 a, 11 b).

A significant feature of the devices for fixing by means ofadhesive-bonding according to the invention is the comfort afforded tousers, since both the fixing device and the pouch can be very flexibleand can adapt to the shape of the body.

Although embodiments have been described in which the strip 34 of thefixing device is not adhesive, and the connection portion 46 of thepouch is adhesive, the arrangement can be transposed. Furthermore, theadhesive-bonding can be carried out with an adhesive of the type havingtwo components, one of which is placed on the strip and the other on theconnection portion of the pouch.

The construction of the protective element of the adhesive surface hasnot been described since an element of this type is well known. A paperis generally used which is covered with a layer of silicone polymerplaced in contact with the adhesive surface. Although, in theembodiments of FIGS. 7 a, 7 b and 8 a, 8 b, protective elements havebeen illustrated which are removed by being pulled in oppositedirections, it is also possible for the tongues to extend in otherdirections, for example, midway between the horizontal axis and a hookand loop type fixing device.

The complementary fixing elements for the ostomy devices according tothe invention may be used “blind”, without it being necessary to seeeither the fixing device or the pouch. In this manner, the user, when hehas introduced the tongue, fixed the push-buttons or introduced theclip, can press the adhesive portion against the strip with completeconfidence without the risk of a fault in terms of alignment. The usercan verify that adhesive-bonding is correct by pinching the strip andthe connection portion which are adhesively-bonded using his fingers. Ifnecessary, the user can ensure appropriate positioning by touching thestrip and the connection portion whose peripheries correspond. Theadhesive-bonding surface, and therefore the sealing, are optimised.

In all of the embodiments described, the disc carrying the adhesivesurface of the pouch and the co-operating strip form a connectionelement which has been supposed to be of circular form, for reasons ofease of production. It has further been supposed that this disc wascompletely coated with adhesive substance. However, this arrangementpresents a problem during use.

Reference is made to FIG. 12 which illustrates a connection element 110of this type. When this has been adhesively-bonded and has to bedetached, a detaching force is applied by the hand of the user who movesin the direction T of FIG. 12, this direction being parallel with theplane of the face of the connection element to be adhesively-bonded andbeing referred to below as the “detaching direction”. The connectionelement is detached successively along a linear peeling face having anorientation which is generally perpendicular relative to the detachingdirection T.

The intersection of the peeling face with the direction T, at varioussteps of the detaching operation, is indicated by the references A, B,E, C, and D in FIG. 12, these references being repeated in FIG. 13,which is a line which represents the variation of the total length ofthe peeling face in accordance with the position, marked on the X-axis.Below, this “total length of the peeling face” is the total, for eachpoint of the peeling face, of the face segments which are generallyorientated perpendicularly relative to the detaching direction and whichare arranged at the surface of the connection element. The line of FIG.13, between the two ends A and D of the connection element in thedetaching direction T, is such that the total length of the peeling faceincreases very rapidly, passes through a first maximum at B, thenthrough a minimum at E, then through a second maximum at C, before beingvery rapidly cancelled out at D.

It is known that the detaching resistance force of a practicallyconstant flexible adhesive surface is proportional to the length of thepeeling face of the adhesive surface. In the case of the connectionelement of FIG. 12, the annular surface of the connection element iscompletely covered with adhesive of a substantially constant thicknessand composition, and the detaching resistance force in the direction Tis proportional to the total length of the peeling face. Consequently,the variation of the detaching resistance force is identical to thatwhich is illustrated in FIG. 13. It increases very rapidly, passesthrough a first maximum at B, then through a minimum at E, then througha second maximum at C before being very rapidly cancelled out.

The detaching force applied to an adhesive connection element for anostomy pouch is applied by a human being. This force must compensate forthe retention force provided by the adhesive, which varies as indicatedin FIG. 13. When the retention force is high (at B and C), the hand ofthe user must apply a great detaching force; if the retention forcerapidly decreases, as after point C of FIG. 13, the detaching forceapplied by hand is greater than the retention force to such an extentthat it brings about abrupt tearing. If it is an ostomy pouch, theabrupt separation of the pouch from the body causes pain (irritation ofthe skin) and a shaking of the pouch; it can bring about the projectionof the contents out of the pouch or even the overturning of the pouch.

In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the total length of thepeeling face, when the adhesive surface of the connection element isdetached, is modulated so that it is substantially constant over atleast the majority of the length of the connection element in thedetaching direction.

More precisely, in the case of a substantially flat connection elementwhich is covered with adhesive over at least a portion of one of thefaces thereof and which is intended to be detached in one direction, thetotal length of the face for detaching by means of peeling, in adirection which is generally perpendicular relative to the detachingdirection, is modulated so that it is substantially constant over themajority of the length of the connection element in the detachingdirection.

In one embodiment, the face of the connection element is completelycovered with adhesive, the shape of the connection element beingsuitable for providing the desired modulation of the total length of thepeeling face.

In another embodiment, the face of the connection element is partiallycovered with adhesive, and it is the shape of the adhesive surface thatis adapted in order to provide the desired constancy of the total lengthof the peeling face.

FIG. 14 illustrates the adhesive face of a connection element 112according to the invention which is preferably constituted by acomposition based on thermoplastic material, and a hole 114. This faceof the connection element 112 is completely covered with a substantiallyconstant thickness of adhesive. The connection element 112 has twoportions which are symmetrical relative to the centre axis 116 thereof.The dimension of each of the two portions, measured in a directionperpendicular relative to the axis 116, is substantially constant overthe entire length of the connection element, in the direction of thecentre axis, except for at the ends.

The total length of the peeling face during a detaching operation ismodulated so that it first increases rapidly towards a maximum value,then decreases towards a value which remains constant almost up to theother end when the position according to the axis 116 varies. In thisportion, the detaching speed is constant for a constant applied force,and the detached portion forms an angle which is practically constantwith the portion which is still adhesively-bonded.

This behaviour is confirmed by the graph of FIG. 15 which indicates thatthe force to be applied is first high, in order to provide a sense ofsecurity for the user, then decreases rapidly towards a substantiallyconstant value which corresponds to a controlled detaching speed, beforedecreasing at the end.

FIG. 16 illustrates a variant of a connection element whose total lengthof the peeling face becomes constant more rapidly.

In the case of an ostomy pouch 118, as illustrated in FIG. 17, which canbe more or less full, the risk of overturning or projecting a portion ofthe contents of the pouch is reduced.

The pouch 118 which is advantageously constituted by two films offlexible and transparent material welded at the edges thereof, forexample, of thermoplastic material, is partially fixed to the connectionelement by means of welding or adhesive-bonding.

In another embodiment, the modulation of the total length of the peelingface, so that it has a substantially constant value over a large portionof the length in the detaching direction, is obtained by applying anadhesive to the connection element having a suitable surface which isnot identical to that of the connection element. More precisely,portions which are not provided with adhesive remain on the surface ofthe connection element.

In another embodiment, the modulation of the total length of the peelingface takes into account other parameters which influence the peelingforce, such as the variable rigidity of the connection element, thepresence of other elements which are fixedly joined to the connectionelement, in particular a welded strip, etc. . . .

Of course, various modifications can be carried out by the personskilled in the art to the connections which have been described abovepurely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scopeof the invention.

1. Ostomy device connection which is intended to connect a collectionpouch (42) to a fixing device (30) which is intended to beadhesively-bonded to the skin of a user, the connection serving: totransmit the weight of the collection pouch (42) to the fixing device(30), to position the pouch (42) relative to the fixing device (30) sothat a hole (36) of the fixing device is in communication with a hole(48) of the collection pouch, and to provide sealing between thecollection pouch (42) and the fixing device (30), the connectioncomprising a first connection portion (34) which is fixedly joined tothe fixing device and a second connection portion (46) which is fixedlyjoined to the collection pouch, one of the connection portions having anadhesive surface which is covered before use by a removable protectivesheet and the other connection portion having an adhesion strip, so thatthe two connection portions (14, 34, 46) can co-operate with each otherby means of adhesive-bonding in a plane which is practicallyperpendicular relative to the axes of the holes (14, 36, 48) of thepouch and the fixing device, and the transmission of the weight of thecollection pouch (42) and the sealing between the fixing device (30) andcollection pouch (42) are provided by means of adhesive-bonding, thecollection pouch (42) and the fixing device comprising complementaryfixing elements which are intended to limit the possibilities forrelative displace of the pouch (42) and the fixing device (30) so thatthe two connection portions have practically only one possible relativeposition when they are adjacent, this position corresponding to thealignment of the holes (36, 48) of the fixing device (30) and thecollection pouch (42), characterised in that the protective sheet (72)of the adhesive layer has the feature of being able to be removed fromthe adhesive surface after the complementary fixing elements have beenbrought into co-operation.
 2. Connection according to claim 1,characterised in that the complementary fixing elements form anarticulation device which delimits a pivot axis (40) remote from theholes of the fixing device (30) and the collection pouch (42), theprotective sheet being practically entirely at only one side of thepivot axis.
 3. Connection according to claim 2, characterised in thatthe complementary fixing elements comprise at least two push-buttons(38, 52) which are aligned along an axis.
 4. Connection according toclaim 2, characterised in that the complementary fixing elementscomprise two elements (54, 56) which are fixedly joined to the fixingdevice (30) and the pouch (42), respectively, and which are able toprovide mutual fixing by means of magnetic attraction.
 5. Connectionaccording to claim 2, characterised in that the complementary fixingelements comprise a tongue (20) which is fixedly joined to a firstportion of the connection and a curved member (18) which is fixedlyjoined to the other portion of the connection.
 6. Connection accordingto claim 2, characterised in that the complementary fixing elementscomprise shaped portions (62, 64, 66, 70, 76, 78) of hook and loop typefabric which are fixedly joined to each of the connection portions (34,46).
 7. Connection according to claim 5, characterised in that thecomplementary fixing elements comprise at least a first element (18)which is arranged on a first connection portion, and a plurality ofsecond elements (20) which are arranged on the other connection portionand which have positions which are angularly spaced-apart around thehole of the corresponding connection portion, the first element beingable to co-operate with any one of the second elements.
 8. Connectionaccording to claim 7, characterised in that the portion which comprisesthe portion carrying the tongue (20) comprises a plurality of tongueshaving positions which are angularly spaced-apart around the holethereof.
 9. Connection according to claim 1, characterised in that theprotective sheet (72) of the adhesive layer comprises at least twoportions which are folded in the form of a folder whose folds areadjacent on the adhesive surface so that this adhesive surface iscompletely covered and the flap which is not adhesively-bonded to theadhesive surface has a gripping lug (74, 106) which extends beyond thelimits of the adhesive surface.
 10. Connection according to claim 1,characterised in that the portion having the adhesive surface isintended to be detached in one direction (T) after use, and theconfiguration of this adhesive surface is such that the total length ofthe face for detaching by means of peeling, in a direction which isgenerally perpendicular relative to the detaching direction, ismodulated so that it is substantially constant over the majority of thelength of the portion having the adhesive surface in the detachingdirection.
 11. Connection according to claim 2, characterised in thatthe complementary fixing elements comprise at least a first element (18)which is arranged on a first connection portion, and a plurality ofsecond elements (20) which are arranged on the other connection portionand which have positions which are angularly spaced-apart around thehole of the corresponding connection portion, the first element beingable to co-operate with any one of the second elements.
 12. Connectionaccording to claim 3, characterised in that the complementary fixingelements comprise at least a first element (18) which is arranged on afirst connection portion, and a plurality of second elements (20) whichare arranged on the other connection portion and which have positionswhich are angularly spaced-apart around the hole of the correspondingconnection portion, the first element being able to co-operate with anyone of the second elements.
 13. Connection according to claim 4,characterised in that the complementary fixing elements comprise atleast a first element (18) which is arranged on a first connectionportion, and a plurality of second elements (20) which are arranged onthe other connection portion and which have positions which areangularly spaced-apart around the hole of the corresponding connectionportion, the first element being able to co-operate with any one of thesecond elements.
 14. Connection according to claim 6, characterised inthat the complementary fixing elements comprise at least a first element(18) which is arranged on a first connection portion, and a plurality ofsecond elements (20) which are arranged on the other connection portionand which have positions which are angularly spaced-apart around thehole of the corresponding connection portion, the first element beingable to co-operate with any one of the second elements.